Daily Inspiration: Meet Derek Zhang

Today we’d like to introduce you to Derek Zhang.

Hi Derek, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
From Shanghai to LA, my journey has been about chasing the best visuals and the best waves.

I started as a Director/DP in Shanghai, shooting TVCs for top-tier brands (Benz, BMW, Audi, GM, BYD). But I’ve always been a surfer and a traveler, living in Hainan and Bali, finding work life balance in the ocean.

I came to US to level up. I wanted to move beyond the commercial and dive into storytelling with real weight and soul. I wanted to collaborate with the world’s strongest artists on an international stage and make films that matter and for bigger screens. Now, I’m based in OC (mostly for the surf at Trestles) but working at the center of the industry.

Right now, I’m the Director of Content at TUNL, working on our doc-series ‘Off the Grid’ and other unannounced projects. Tunl Gala is covered by Forbes and The Hollywood Reporter every year. I’m also shooting a 1950s narrative short about the African American queer.

I don’t like boxes or definitions. Whether it’s a narrative film, a commercial, or a music video, I’m a visual storyteller first. I want to blend mediums, break rules, and explore every possibility in life.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has never been a smooth road. To choose this path is to accept that you cannot make the ‘safe choices’ that everyone else makes.

Filmmaking is inherently a high-risk profession. You have to endure periods of intense loneliness and misunderstanding. You have to be willing to pay the price for your own obsession. There will be long stretches where you might not have work.

But in those moments, you have to possess an unwavering belief in yourself. You must continue to sharpen your skills even when no one is watching. For me, there is no backup plan, and there is no other option. I chose this life, and I embrace the struggle that comes with it

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Visit www.derekxhang.com to see my selected works.

My career began with a custom motorcycle studio I founded. This background gave me an insider’s eye for shooting cars, sports, and action. My portfolio extends into the avant-garde worlds of fashion and abstract art.

Current Focus: I am channeling my visual experience into narrative cinema with a social conscience. I am currently developing a feature film about an Asian mechanic in Los Angeles. It is a story of descent to the streets, exploring the brutal realities of homelessness, drug abuse, and the struggle for dignity in the underbelly of the city.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I believe that there is always a way out. For me, luck is a matter of perspective. Often, what initially seems like bad luck is actually a blessing in disguise, and every crisis holds the seed of a new opportunity. I’ve learned that when life says ‘no,’ it isn’t a rejection, it’s often preparing a better gift for me down the road. So, I trust the process.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.derekxhang.com
• Instagram: derek.xhang